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अर्चनार्चन
Concept of 'Āsana’ According to Patanjala-Yoga
Sūtras (PYS) Is it an 'Ābhyasa' or an 'Anūsthana ?
Dr. B. R. Sharma Mr. T. P. Sreekumaran Dr. M. V. Bhole+
According to PYS, Āsana is one of the Yogängas (PYS-11/29).5 Though Patanjali indicates the 'laksana' and 'phala or siddhi' of each of the Yogāngas, he indicates a direct 'upaya' only in the case of asana' for its 'anuşthana' (not for its 'abhyasa') (PYS-II/47(.6
The term 'abhyasa' implies the presence of 'One fixed end in view' (i. e., ekarthata). Abhyasa is reported to gain .drdhabhumitva' in that desired end' which may require repeated efforts as explained by Patanjali in the Sutra PYS-I/14.7 This term 'abhyasa' is used by Patanjali for the first time in the Samadhi-pada for the attainment of vịttinirodha (afafata) (PYS-1/
1. Work done with the Grants-in-Aid from the Ministries of Educa
tion, Government of India and Maharashtra State. 2. Research Officer, Philosophico-Literary Research Department,
Kaivalyadhama S. M. Y. M. Samiti, Lonavla. Yoga Instructor, G, S. College of Yoga & Cultural Synthesis, Kaivalyadhama S. M. Y. M. Samiti, Lonavla. Joint Director of Research, Kaivalyadhama S. M. Y. M. Samiti, Lonavla, Dist. Poona, Maharashtra (India)-410 403. Yamaniyamāsanaprāņayāmapratyāhāradharaņādhyānasamādhayo 'stāvangāni.
(यमनियमासनप्राणायामप्रत्याहारधारणाध्यान समाधयोऽष्टावङ गानि) 6. Prayatnaşaithilyānantasamāpattibhyam.
(castfercut THTTFIT). 7. Sa tu dirghakālanairantaryasatkārā sevito drdhabhumih.
(स तु दीर्घकाल नैरन्तर्य सत्कारासेवितो दृढभूमिः)
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